Blind, riveted joint for panel members

ABSTRACT

A blind riveted joint, wherein a row of rivet heads are recessed within a groove provided along a joint connecting two strakes in a side wall of a transit vehicle, has one edge of a cover strip inserted between a lip provided along one side of the groove and a support within the groove. An integral, deformable flange projects from the inner side of the cover strip adjacent its opposite edge, and this flange is forced by external pressure into a slot provided along its corresponding side of the groove. The slot is shaped to deform the flange as the latter is forced therein, thereby firmly anchoring the cover strip across the opening to the groove. The first mentioned cover strip edge portion preferably is separated from the rest of the strip by a scored line to weaken the strip and thus facilitate and localize bending along this line.

United States Patent [191 Schubach 1 1 3,906,694 Sept. 23, 1975 BLIND,RIVETED JOINT FOR PANEL MEMBERS [75] Inventor: Theodor C. Schubach,Bonita, Calif,

[73] Assignee: Rohr Industries, Inc., Chula Vista,

Calif.

22 Filed: Aug. 14, 1974 211 Appl. No.: 497,457

[52] US. Cl. 52/471; 52/758 D [51] Int. Cl. E04C l/34; EO4D 1/36 [58]Field of Search 52/462, 463, 464, 468, 52/470, 471, 472, 758 D, 584,312,588

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,981,669 4/1961 Brand etal. 52/758 D UX 3,248,840 5/1966 Peterson 52/758 D X 3,601,946 8/1971Rothemund H 52/588 X 3,605,368 9/1971 La Louche 52/471 X 3,708,938l/l973 Tantlinger 52/471 17' 5 I! {J """zijr'p Primary ExaminerWerner H.Schroeder Assistant Examiner-Wayne L. Shedd Attorney, Agent, orFirmPatrick J. Schlesinger [57] ABSTRACT A blind riveted joint, whereina row of rivet heads are recessed within a groove provided along a jointconnecting two strakes in a side wall of a transit vehicle, has one edgeof a cover strip inserted between a lip provided along one side of thegroove and a support within the groove. An integral, deformable flangeprojects from the inner side of the cover strip adjacent its oppositeedge, and this flange is forced by external pressure into a slotprovided along its corresponding side of the groove. The slot is shapedto deform the flange as the latter is forced therein, thereby firmlyanchoring the cover strip across the opening to the groove. The firstmentioned cover strip edge portion preferably is separated from the restof the strip by a scored line to weaken the strip and thus facilitateand localize bending along this line.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures a US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 1 of2 T3,906,694

I "I A.

US Patent Sept. 23,1975

Sheet 2 of 2 BLIND, RIVETED JOINT FOR PANEL MEMBERS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION In the manufacture of transit vehicles such as buses and railcars a recent development consists in manufacturing a floor assembly,two side walls assemblies, roof assembly, and front and rear endassemblies individually in separate jigs provided for this purpose.After these assemblies have been individually completed they areassembled with each other to complete the vehicle. Each side wall of thevehicle comprises a skeletal frame structure including upright posts ormullions, which frame structure is sheathed externally with horizontalstrakes, usually of extruded aluminum. Edge portions of adjacent strakesare riveted together with the heads of the rivets recessed in a grooveprovided by the edge formation of the strakes. In the past, thesegrooves have been either covered by a strip of suitable material, suchas stainless steel or aluminum, or filled with suitable material, suchas a flowable, hardenable substance. Such prior materials have not beendifficult to deface or remove, and therefore have been subject to damageby vandals or pranksters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a cover stripfor a grooved, riveted joint connecting two panel type members, therivet heads lying wholly within the groove. The cover strip is pressedinto anchored position in the groove by first inserting one edge of thestrip into a reeess provided along one side of the groove, and thenforcing a deformable element projecting inwardly from the other edge ofthe strip into a slot provided in the strake defining the other side ofthe groove. The slot is so shaped that when the projecting element isforced therein under external pressure the deformable element isdeformed, and thereby anchors the cover strip in position to close thegroove and conceal the row of rivet heads therein. The cover strip whenthus applied is firmly seated, strong, and rattle free, but can beremoved if required by destroying the strip, for example, by severing itlengthwise with a saw or other suitable tool and then removing the twosevered parts.

In a modified form of the invention, two divergent, deformable elementsare provided on the cover ,strip instead of one, with two slots toreceive them,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The objectives and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description and theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is a view, partly in transverse section and partly in elevation,showing one edge of the cover strip inserted beneath the lip providedalong one edge of the groove, with the free edge of the deformableflange located at the entrance to its slot, ready to be forced home byexternal pressure.

FIG. 2 is a similar type of view showing the cover strip alone.

FIG. 3 is a similar type of view showing the deformable flange forced byexternal pressure into its slot and anchored therein by the resultantdeformation of the flange.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are respectively similar to FIGS. 1., 2 and 3, but showa modified, double flange, double groove anchoring structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the form of theinvention shown in FIGS. I 3, a pair of generally similar strakes l0 and11, preferably aluminum extrusions, are joined together in edge-to-edgerelation by a row of rivets 12. The strakes comprise outer plateportions 13 and 14, respectively, with inwardly extending supportflanges 15 and 16 along adjoining edges thereof. Each support flange hasa mounting flange 17 along its inward edge by means of which the strakesmay be attached by conventional means, such as rivets, not shown, tosupport members, also not shown, such as the usual posts or mullions ofa transit vehicle side wall frame structure.

A first riveting flange 19 extends laterally from an intermediateportion of the support rib l5, and is overlapped by a second rivetingflange 20 extending laterally from the support rib 16 of the adjacentstrake 11. These riveting flanges 18 and 19 are joined together by therivets 12, with the outer surfaces of the strakes defining asubstantially common surface, the rivet heads being recessed in a groove21 provided by inward offsetting of the riveting flanges l9 and 20.

A narrow flange 22 extends from the support rib 1S and is spaced fromthe flange 19 to receive and retain the the free edge of the rivetingflange 20 between it and the riveting flange 19. A cover strip supportrib 23 is provided along the outer side of the riveting flange 20 and islocated to just clear the narrow flange 22 when the strakes l0 and 11are assembled as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The outer plate portion 13 ofthe strake I0 has a co-extensive retaining lip 26 along its edge toreceive therebeneath a first edge portion of a cover strip 24.

The cover strip 24 for covering the groove 21 preferably is of amaterial corresponding to that of the strakes, and has an inwardlyextending, deformable locking flange 28 along its opposite edge. Ascored line 29. see FIG. 2, also preferably is provided in the coverstrip to lie alongside the support 23 when the cover strip is insertedas shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to facilitate and localize bending of thecover strip along this line.

A transversity curved slot 25 is provided in an inwardly offset,thickened portion 27 provided in the strake 11 along the portion thereofwhich defines the opposite side of the groove 21 from the lip 22, thisslot being shaped to receive and deform the deformable locking flange 28when the latter is forced therein under external pressure applied to thelocking strip as indicated diagrammatically by the roller A in FIG. I.

The outer surface of the thickened portion 27 is offset inwardly fromthe surface defined by the outer faces of the plate portions 13 and 14of the strakes l0 and 11 a selected distance relative to the thicknessof the cover strip 24 so as to bring the outer surface of the coverstrip, when set thereon as shown in FIG. 3, into desired relation withthe outer surface of the strakes.

OPERATION OF THE FORM OF THE INVENTION SHOWN IN FIGS. I 3

Assuming that the strakes l0 and 11 are fitted together as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, and the rivets 12 are inserted and set as shown in thesefigures, for inserting the cover strip 24, a first edge portion 240thereof, see FIG. 2, is inserted as shown in FIG. 1 between the supportflange 23 and the retaining lip 26, thereby positioning the free edge ofthe deformable locking flange 28 at the entrance to the slot 25.Pressure is then applied to the external side of the cover strip 24 overthe locking flange 28 as by means of suitable or well known mechanismsuch as, for example, a presser roller A, see FIG. 1, the pressure beingsufiicient to force the locking flange 28 its full depth into the slot25. This action deforms the flange 28 as shown in FIG. 3 thereby tofirmly lock the cover strip in seated relation across the entrance tothe groove 21, thereby covering and concealing the rivet heads. It willbe obvious to one familiar with this type of operation that by varyingthe thickness of the cover strip 24, other than the edge portion 23which is inserted beneath the lip 26, the external surface of the coverstrip can be made either recessed, flush with, or projecting above theouter surface defined by the strakes l and 11.

MODIFIED FORM OF THE INVENTION SHOWN IN FIGS. 4 6

In the modified form of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 6, the structureof the strakes and cover strip are generally the same as that shown inFIGS. 1 3, with the exception of the deformable locking flange and itsslot. Corresponding parts of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 46 are, therefore, designated by the same reference numerals as thoseemployed in FIGS. 1 3 with the prime added.

In FIGS. 4 6, instead of a single deformable locking flange and slot, apair of deformable locking flanges 30 and 31 are provided to extenddivergently inwardly from the inner surface of the cover strip 24'. Apair of diverging slots 32 and 33 are also provided in a thickenedstrake portion 27', and diverge at a greater angle than that of thelocking flanges 30 and 31.

The entrance to the diverging slots 32 and 33 is of a width to receivethe free edges of the locking flanges 30 and 31 therein when the coverstrip 24' is applied as shown in FIG. I. When the cover strip 24 ispressed home by suitable pressure applied to the exterior of the coverstrip 24', the flanges 30 and 31 are forced apart and into theirrespective slots 32 and 33 as shown in FIG. 6, thereby firmly lockingthe cover strip in seated position.

The invention provides a simple, inexpensive cover strip for coveringthe rivet head receiving groove between adjacent riveted strakes of atransit type vehicle, and in normal use endures for the life of thevehicle.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed as new and usefuland desired to be secured by U.S. letters Patent is:

l. A blind, riveted joint wherein a row of rivet heads are recessed in agroove provided along a joint connecting two strakes in a sidewall of atransit vehicle, said joint comprising:

a cover strip of a width to span such groove,

strake material defining a recess along one side of such groove forreceiving and retaining one edge of the cover strip,

strake material defining an outwardly open, inwardly inclined slot alongthe other side of such groove.

a deformable locking element integral with and extending inwardly fromthe inward side of the cover strip, said deformable element being soshaped and located that with said one edge of the cover strip in suchrecess, the free end of the locking element is positioned to enter suchslot upon the application of external pressure to the cover strip overthe locking element, and in a direction substantially normal to theouter surfaces of the strakes, the strake material defining such slotbeing so shaped as to deform the locking flange against withdrawal whenthe latter is forced into the slot, and

means for forcing the deformable element into such slot.

2. A blind, riveted joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein such recess forreceiving the first edge of the cover strip is defined by a lipextending from an edge of strake material defining one side of thegroove, and a support element extending from strake material definingthe bottom of the groove and spaced inwardly from said lip by thethickness of said first edge of the cover strip.

3. A blind, riveted joint as claimed in claim 2 wherein a scored line isprovided lengthwise of the cover strip to lie alongside said supportelement when the first edge of the cover strip is inserted between saidlip and said support.

4. A blind, riveted joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein the deformableelement comprises a narrow rib.

5. A blind, riveted joint as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cover stripis an aluminum extrusion.

6. A blind, riveted joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein the deformableelement comprises a pair of divergent, narrow ribs, and a pair of slotsare provided and located so that each of such slots receives one of theribs.

7. A blind, riveted joint wherein a row of rivet heads are recessed in agroove provided along a joint connecting two strakes in the side wall ofa transit vehicle, said joint comprising:

a cover strip of a width to span such groove,

a lip extending along one side of such groove for receiving one edge ofthe cover strip therebeneath,

a strake clement shaped to support the other edge of the cover strip andhaving an outwardly open, inwardly inclined slot therein,

a deformable locking element integral with and extending inwardly froman opposite edge portion of the cover strip, said locking element beingofa size, and so shaped and located, that with said one edge of thecover strip inserted beneath said lip, the locking element will entersuch slot upon the application of required external pressure to thecover strip over the deformable element, and in a directionsubstantially normal to the outer surfaces of the strakes, the strakematerial defining such slot being shaped to deform the locking elementagainst withdrawal when the locking element is forced into such slot.

8. A blind, riveted joint as defined in claim 7 wherein a support isprovided within the groove in position to support the inner side of saidone edge of the cover strip in contact with the inner side of said lip.

9. A blind, riveted joint as defined in claim 8 wherein said supportcomprises a rib integral with a strake element comprising the bottom ofsuch groove.

10. A blind, riveted joint for joining two adjacent panel members inedge-to-edge relation, each panel member having a laterally extendingriveting flange formed integrally therewith, the riveting flanges beingin relatively superposed, contacting relation with each other and spacedinwardly from a common outer surface defined by the panel members toform a groove therein with one of the riveting flanges comprising thebottom of such groove.

other edge of the cover strip, and

a cover strip support element integral with one of the panel members andextending along the other side of such groove said support elementhaving a slot therein of a size, and so positioned, as to receive thedeformable anchoring element therein, the sides of such slot beingformed to deform said anchoring element against withdrawal when theanchoring element is forcibly inserted into such slot.

1. A blind, riveted joint wherein a row of rivet heads are recessed in agroove provided along a joint connecting two strakes in a sidewall of atransit vehicle, said joint comprising: a cover strip of a width to spansuch groove, strake material defining a recess along one side of suchgroove for receiving and retaining one edge of the cover strip, strakematerial defining an outwardly open, inwardly inclined slot along theother side of such groove, a deformable locking element integral withand extending inwardly from the inward side of the cover strip, saiddeformable element being so shaped and located that with said one edgeof the cover strip in such recess, the free end of the locking elementis positioned to enter such slot upon the application of externalpressure to the cover strip over the locking element, and in a directionsubstantially normal to the outer surfaces of the strakes, the strakematerial defining such slot being so shaped as to deform the lockingflange against withdrawal when the latter is forced into the slot, andmeans for forcing the deformable element into such slot.
 2. A blind,riveted joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein such recess for receivingthe first edge of the cover strip is defined by a lip extending from anedge of strake material defining one side of the groove, and a supportelement extending from stRake material defining the bottom of the grooveand spaced inwardly from said lip by the thickness of said first edge ofthe cover strip.
 3. A blind, riveted joint as claimed in claim 2 whereina scored line is provided lengthwise of the cover strip to lie alongsidesaid support element when the first edge of the cover strip is insertedbetween said lip and said support.
 4. A blind, riveted joint as claimedin claim 1 wherein the deformable element comprises a narrow rib.
 5. Ablind, riveted joint as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cover strip is analuminum extrusion.
 6. A blind, riveted joint as claimed in claim 1wherein the deformable element comprises a pair of divergent, narrowribs, and a pair of slots are provided and located so that each of suchslots receives one of the ribs.
 7. A blind, riveted joint wherein a rowof rivet heads are recessed in a groove provided along a jointconnecting two strakes in the side wall of a transit vehicle, said jointcomprising: a cover strip of a width to span such groove, a lipextending along one side of such groove for receiving one edge of thecover strip therebeneath, a strake element shaped to support the otheredge of the cover strip and having an outwardly open, inwardly inclinedslot therein, a deformable locking element integral with and extendinginwardly from an opposite edge portion of the cover strip, said lockingelement being of a size, and so shaped and located, that with said oneedge of the cover strip inserted beneath said lip, the locking elementwill enter such slot upon the application of required external pressureto the cover strip over the deformable element, and in a directionsubstantially normal to the outer surfaces of the strakes, the strakematerial defining such slot being shaped to deform the locking elementagainst withdrawal when the locking element is forced into such slot. 8.A blind, riveted joint as defined in claim 7 wherein a support isprovided within the groove in position to support the inner side of saidone edge of the cover strip in contact with the inner side of said lip.9. A blind, riveted joint as defined in claim 8 wherein said supportcomprises a rib integral with a strake element comprising the bottom ofsuch groove.
 10. A blind, riveted joint for joining two adjacent panelmembers in edge-to-edge relation, each panel member having a laterallyextending riveting flange formed integrally therewith, the rivetingflanges being in relatively superposed, contacting relation with eachother and spaced inwardly from a common outer surface defined by thepanel members to form a groove therein with one of the riveting flangescomprising the bottom of such groove. a row of rivets joining theoverlapping riveting flanges, the heads of the rivets being recessed insuch groove, a cover strip retaining lip extending into one side of thegroove along an outer surface portion of one of the panel members, acover strip of a width to span such groove with one edge of the coverstrip inserted beneath said lip, a deformable anchoring element integralwith, and projecting inwardly from an area adjacent the other edge ofthe cover strip, and a cover strip support element integral with one ofthe panel members and extending along the other side of such groove,said support element having a slot therein of a size, and so positioned,as to receive the deformable anchoring element therein, the sides ofsuch slot being formed to deform said anchoring element againstwithdrawal when the anchoring element is forcibly inserted into suchslot.